Important things you must know to travel to Cancun

We strongly suggest you to take your time to read all this useful information before you come to Cancun or any other part of Mexico.

The Government of Mexico requires that all travellers present a valid passport for entry into Mexico. While U.S. citizenship documents such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable, the U.S. Embassy recommends traveling with a valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings. U.S. citizens have encountered difficulty boarding onward flights in Mexico without a passport. U.S. citizens boarding flights to Mexico should be prepared to present one of these documents as proof of U.S. citizenship, along with photo identification. Driver's permits, voter registration cards, affidavits and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship for readmission into the United States, please see the information below:

As of January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

After proof of citizenship has been verified, you will receive a free Mexican Tourist Card, which you must keep with you at all times when in Mexico. This permit must be given to officials upon departure. If you lose your Mexican Tourist Card you can obtain a permission to leave the country from the local Immigration Office.

-Make your reservations as soon as possible. Book in advance, this enables you to get the best prices for airline tickets, transportation, car rental and hotel reservations.

-Do not bring to Mexico any kind of fruits, meat, poultry, ham or prepared dishes, guns and drugs. After you pass the custom you'll be stopped at a last checkpoint to verify your custom declaration and baggage revision. If you are transporting illegal items they will be confiscated by the government, you will be taken to jail if you are transporting guns or drugs. If you need to take prescription medication, we highly suggest you to bring the original prescription bottle issued by your physician and it must contain his license ID and phone numbers.

-For visitors coming directly from the United States or Canada, no immunization certification is required.